We’re very glad to have some good news this morning. SKINS chairman Jaimie Fuller has pledged to underwrite Paul Kimmage’s legal bills while the situation with his defense fund is being resolved. Press release below.
PRESS RELEASE Thursday, 8th May, 2013.
SKINS to underwrite Cycling journalist Paul Kimmage’s legal bills.
International compression wear company SKINS has agreed to protect cycling journalist Paul Kimmage against the possible relaunch of a UCI legal case against him after the cash in a defence fund set up on his behalf became unavailable to him.
$96,000 worth of public donations were held in an account that was managed by Aaron Brown. Around $21,000 has already been spent but the dissolution of an unrelated business partnership has resulted in the refusal of Mr Brown to provide transactional details of the account or release of the remaining funds. It is believed that Mr Brown, best known for his twitter personality UCI_Overlord, has moved the cash into a separate account under his sole control.
The situation currently leaves Mr. Kimmage exposed to a possible re-launch of the defamation action brought by UCI President Pat McQuaid and former President Hein Verbruggen. The pair suspended the action in October but have reserved the right to re-launch it at any time.
SKINS Chairman Jaimie Fuller has stepped in to offer support while attempts are made to force Mr. Brown to re-instate the legal fund and place it with an independent third party.
Fuller said: “The sudden lack of transparency surrounding the defence account has left Paul exposed. He is very concerned the UCI could take advantage of his lack of access to the fund and re-launch an action against him that outraged the cycling fraternity. As a huge fan of Paul and what he stands for, we couldn’t let that happen. So if he incurs legal expenses in relation to defending future UCI action while continuing to be denied access to the fund, we’ll support him to ensure he is able to defend himself.”
Mr. Kimmage said: “When all this started, I was humbled by the generosity of people who made donations into the fund on my behalf and it’s vital that the money is fully accounted for and that the account is run in accordance with the original intention.
Cont’d…
“This whole situation could be avoided by simple transparency into the transactional details of the account, and the placing of the remaining cash into escrow with an independent third party. I’m continuing to press for that because the dissolution of a business partnership has nothing to do with the fund. At the moment, further legal costs incurred by defending the UCI case would be an impossible situation and I’m grateful to SKINS for stepping in to provide support.”
END
About SKINS
In Australia in 1996 SKINS embarked on a massive challenge to create a sports garment that aided recovery and improved performance. SKINS invested heavily in research to make it happen and are now Australia’s leading compression brand.
SKINS have achieved rapid growth in other markets including Japan, the USA and the UK and now have their sights set on Europe and other international markets. The company relocated its international headquarters from Australia to Steinhausen in Switzerland on 1st February 2009.
SKINS continues to make their number one focus research and development in order to improve, rigorously test and expand the range of products. The performance benefits of SKINS are supported by numerous independent studies published in peer reviewed medical journals. SKINS are the only compression garments recommended and endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Phil Mepham
+44 7765 237236 philmepham@me.com
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SKINS International Trading AG Sennweidstrasse 43 6312 Steinhausen Switzerland Skins.net
There are men and then their are men of integrity. Well done Jaimie!!!
Thank you Mr Fuller for supporting Paul. But don’t worry, my boy Aaron will be returning every penny of the defense fund or I will Ripp him a new one.
There their they’re
Shameful….totally shameful.
He made a name by being an advocate for the sport, but clearly his actions show he is more interested in making his name and not being honest.
Thank you Skins!
time to call Grey Manrod
Why doesn’t Fuller pay for advertising this website like everyone else?
why someone doesn’t just kick the living shit out of the guy who stole kimmage’s legal defense fund money is beyond me.
street justice is needed. time to call in the muscle. someone give frank schleck a call, he’s outta work at the moment.
The whole PK-attack fund saga gets more convoluted by the second. The originators of the PK fund (including NYVC) have washed their hands of any responsibility, fast playing one sided trial by social media game.
Next up we have self promoter – Mr. Skin, who jumps in like Superfly to rescue “underwrite” PK’s supposed legal bills. I smell more BS.
Nicely played Mr. Skin. This is disingenuous bunk to promote & sell your product. The BS at the end of article says it all really.
Free Floyd!
The Irony of this whole affair, its as if they thought they should mimic what’s been going on in Cycling and do their own scenario.
Just imagine the Anti-Toto’s that could be drawn up about this, with all the ex-Toto subjects poking back in their own sarcastic way.
Will Kimmage have to wear SKINS during his defense/attack in court?
That’s some serious balls of SKINS. They are the first company to really go anti-doping and put their money where their mouth is.
Or perhaps it’s just tiny balls really, and the rest of the cycling world is just so high on roid rage that their balls have shrunk into oblivion.
My guess is that brown invested the cash in a “sure thing” that is taking a lot of patience to work out. I do the same, but only with my own money. he must now be thankful to have such a generic name…
As a controversy lover, yeah, I would have preferred Grey Manrod to take this one up. He still can of course. Especially as there is now a budget.
Mmmmmmm, Schweddy Ball Skinz.
Thanks to Jamie Fuller , phat mc squat & nein fordruggen will not be able to take advantage of an unfortunate situation !
Just finished reading the ” backsliding BS of Cycling Ireland ” , who may try to call off the EGM as unnecessary , since the swiss have picked up the baton !
Cycling Ireland to redeem their Integrity , need to see the EGM through to it’s conclusion ! Only by the MEMBERS being allowed to display their disapproval of ” phat ” , will those UCI Delegates ” ALLOWED the Vote ” , in September , come to understand the gravity of the damage , that allowing ” SSDD ” to continue , will do to Cycling Sport !
In parrabuddy.blogspot i have outlined so many defects in the UCI Constitution and the character flaws of it’s current leader , that i would hope the Irish , as a Nation , would disown phat !
whatever happened to the funds that were raised through this website and others?